Shoe Start-up Allbirds Bets That Simple Is the New Sexy
*By Michael Teich*
Gaining a step on established industry giants like Nike and Adidas can be daunting for the little guys, but the San Francisco-based shoemaker Allbirds has gained a small but promising foothold, said the Wall Street Journal fashion editor Jacob Gallagher.
The sneaker company prides itself on producing the "most comfortable shoe in the world," and claims to have sold 1 million of its unassuming kicks since 2016. Though the powerhouse global athletic brands tout collaborations with flashy designers including Kanye West and Alexander Wang, Allbirds has cozied up to shoppers with just three, simple unisex styles of casual shoes and streamlined designs.
Allbirds is "a shoe that thrives by being as nothing as possible" and is "the white T-shirt of sneakers," said Gallagher.
He tributes the early success of Allbirds to its embrace of Normcore minimalism. Consumers are gravitating toward more comfortable products and dressing more casually, which works for Allbirds, Gallagher said.
If trends move away from monochrome simplicity towards flashier, more colorful styles, the two-year-old Allbirds may have to adapt to survive.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/shoe-start-up-allbirds-bets-that-simple-is-the-new-sexy).
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Kemtai Co-Founder breaks down how computer vision and artificial intelligence can improve your workout form; Wove Co-Founder explains how it's creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring design process; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'History By The Numbers.'
Andrew Wolgemuth, Co-Founder at Wove, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss Wove's unique engagement ring design process, which includes 3D printing replica rings, and the latest trends in the engagement ring industry.
Cheddar News explores perhaps the most divisive topic in American politics: abortion. The Supreme Court may change access in America with not just one but two major cases on its current docket so we traveled across the country to get viewpoints from both sides. Check out what we found as Megan Pratz hosts this full episode of 'Abortion in America.'
Jill and Carlo discuss what appears to be the beginning of the end of Roe v. Wade, another victim dies following the school shooting in Michigan, Omicron in the U.S., Trump's Covid chronology and more.
Wave Neuroscience announced a new collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to provide Braincare services to Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans. Operation Synchrony is a one-month, outpatient program focused on restoring and optimizing neuronal function utilizing individualized neuromodulation. Dr. Erik Won, president & chief medical officer of Wave Neuroscience and Alex Balbir, director of independence services at Wounded Warrior Project joins Cheddar News to discuss.
A new book is looking to help people talk about race by educating them on the appropriate way to do it. 'Read This to Get Smarter: About Race, Class, Gender, Disability and More' is a non-judgmental guide structured in a way for readers who are just starting their journey or those already versed in social justice to follow. Blair Imani, author of 'Read This to Get Smarter joins Cheddar News to discuss the book.
Lauren Brody, author and founder of The Fifth Trimester joins Cheddar News to discuss the state of working mothers in America and how many women are feeling the pressure this pandemic has caused.
The nine justices heard arguments Wednesday, around a Mississippi abortion law that bans the procedure after 15 weeks and appeared to lean toward upholding the law, while leaving uncertainty about the landmark precedent, Roe v. Wade. Kristin Ford, vice president of communications and research at NARAL Pro-Choice America joins Cheddar News to discuss.
